Extension pole with docking assembly for a matching tool

ABSTRACT

An extension pole having a tool-actuating connection between a lever on the pole handle end and a tool on the pole distal end that remains operational by action of a lever on the pole proximal end through pole adjustment. A quick release mechanism on the pole distal end receives a tool matching that mechanism through which the movement of the lever is communicated to the tool causing the tool to operate in its normal function.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to extension poles for tools with anadjustable connection between a pole handle end and an opposite poleaccessory end to actuate a tool by action of a trigger pole actuator onthe handle end and, more specifically, to an extension pole with a meansto receive a selective tool on its distal end that cooperates with alever on the pole proximal end to actuate the tool.

2. Prior Art

It has long been recognized that extending a user's reach through anextension pole is advantageous. A paint roller mounted on a pole allowsone to work beyond one's natural reach. A tree branch cutter or saw onan extension pole allows one to access tree tops otherwise difficult toreach. For tools that require an actuating movement, for example, tosqueeze a handle of a cutter to trim a branch, a connection between thepole tool end and the pole handle end is required to communicatemovement of a pole actuator on the handle end to the tool on the poletool end.

In extending one's reach with an extension pole the difficultyintroduced is in maintaining the operation of the connection between thepole actuator on the pole handle end and the tool on the pole end toeffect the desired function of the tool mounted to the tool end of thepole. Painting tools are fairly common, but the issue goes beyondpainting. For example, if plant and shrub shears were mounted to thepole end, the grip of the shears would need to be squeezed together asin a normal operation of shears. In general, the extension pole requiresa connection between a lever as a pole actuator on the pole handle endand the tool on the pole tool end to effect a normal operation of thetool, such as squeezing together handles of a pruner or shears.

Because there are a number of tools that could benefit from an extensionpole, it would be advantageous to have a pole with a standardquick-release connection for receiving a tool. To be effective the toolwould need to have a provision for exercising the tool in its normalmanner of operation, such as squeezing together handles, by pulling acomponent in the tool. The connection then would need to communicatemovement of the pole lever to that tool component to achieve remotefunctioning of the tool.

The primary object of the present invention then is to provide anextension pole having a tool-actuating connection between a lever on thepole handle end and a tool on the pole end. Another object is to providea quick release mechanism on the pole end for receiving a tool matchingthat mechanism and through which the movement of the lever iscommunicated to the tool. It is another object that the mechanism beprotected from damage by containing the mechanism internal to the pole.

SUMMARY

This object is achieved in an extension pole with a connection runningbetween a pole accessory end where a selective tool such as shears or apruner is releasably mounted and a pole handle end where a pole lever islocated such that movement of the lever is communicated to the toolthrough the connection to effect a normal function of the tool. A poleattachment mechanism is provided internal to the pole for releasablyreceiving the selective tool while protecting the attachment from damageand the tool is provided with a tool attachment mechanism matching thepole attachment mechanism. The selective tool also is provided withinternal mechanics such that exercise of the pole lever exercises theselective tool in its normal function. For all purposes herein, use ofthe term “lever” is deemed to include all movement of a pole actuator onthe pole that effects movement to a tool attached to the pole.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side cut-away view of the tool extension pole showing a toolattachment member closed.

FIG. 2 is perspective view of the tool end of the pole of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side cut-away view of the pole of FIG. 1 showing a toolaligned for engagement with the extension pole.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the tool end of the pole and tool ofFIG. 3, shown with the tool engaged in the pole end.

FIG. 5 is a side cut-away view of the tool extension pole of the presentinvention showing a tool attachment member open.

FIG. 6 is perspective view of the tool end of the pole as shown in FIG.5.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a typical tool attachable to the pole ofthe present invention, shown as a pruner with a cylindrical handleconfigured to mount to the pole tool and with a latch rod withinconfigured to interface with the tool attachment member of the pole.

FIGS. 8 and 11 are a perspective view of the selective tool, a pruner,viewed from a first side.

FIGS. 9 and 12 are a perspective view pruner of FIG. 8, viewed from asecond side.

FIGS. 10 and 13 are a cut-away side view of the pruner of FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The extension pole 10 of the present invention includes a tubular member12 comprising a lower portion 14 and an upper portion 16 with apassageway longitudinal therethrough, with a distal, or tool end 18 anda proximal, or handle end 20. The pole 10 further comprises a lever as apole actuator 22 pivotably mounted on the handle end 20 at the polehandle end 20, spring-biased to a rest position 24.

A tool attachment member 26 at and internal to the pole tool end 18includes a quick release attachment apparatus 28 adapted to releasablysecure a selective tool 100 to the pole tool end 18. The selective tool100 for which the pole 10 and quick release attachment apparatus 28 isprovided includes a latch rod 102 adapted to actuate the tool 100 in itsnormal operational function when pulled. Typically the selective tool100 is selectable from a set of available tools, which gives versatilityto the pole 10.

The selective tool 100 is mountable on the extension pole 10 andfunctions in one or both of two operating modes. In a first mode thetool 100 is made to move directly by a user independent of the pole 10,which movement implements a normal functional operation of the tool,such as a user squeezing a pruner lever as a first member to a prunerhandle as a second member pivotably on a pivot pin on overlappingproximal ends to make pruner blades come together to cut somethingbetween the blades. In a second mode the tool 100 is made to functionindirectly, that is, in the example of the pruner, the blades are madeto come together, by a user operating the lever, or pole actuator 22from the pole handle, or distal end. The tool 100 includes a latch rod102 functionally connectible to the pole actuator 22, movement of whichlatch rod 102 implements the tool function, such as moving pruner bladestogether.

The latch rod 102 slidably extends axially within a tubular tool basethat mounts approximately axially to the extension pole distal end. Uponconnection of the tool base to the extension pole distal end, the toolbase and the latch rod within extend into the extension pole distal endwhere they functionally connect to the pole actuator through the toolattachment member 26. The latch rod 102 is thus protected from accessoutside of the connected tool base and extension pole distal end whichcould otherwise damage the latch rod 102. When the tool is operated inits first mode the latch rod 102 within the tool base does not cause thelatch rod to move external to the base, also protecting the latch rod102 from damage. In fact, operation of the tool 100 in the first modetypically does not cause the latch rod 102 to move.

The tool attachment member 26 comprises a tool latch housing 64 securedto the pole tool end 18 and a carrier 66 slidable in the tool latchhousing 64 and functionally connected to the pole actuator 22 such thatthe pole actuator 22 and the carrier 66 move in concert.

A tool latch 68 is pivotably mounted to the carrier 66, biased upward bya latch spring 70 to receive the tool latch rod 102. An opening 72 at atool latch forward end 74 is adapted to receive a selective said tool100 therein. A latch pin 76 is transverse across the opening 72 tosecure the tool latch rod 102 in the tool attachment member 26. The toollatch rod 102 has a notch 104 that releasably receives the latch pin 76to secure the tool latch rod 102 in the tool latch 68. Thus, the toollatch 68 pivots upward to receive the tool latch rod 102 into the toollatch 68 and downward to secure the tool latch rod 102 in the tool latch68 with the latch pin 76 engaging the notch 104. The tool latch 68similarly pivots upward to release the latch pin 76 from the notch 104to disengage the tool 100 from the tool latch 68. A latch lock 78includes a latch lock piston 80 that moves downward against the toollatch 68 urging the tool latch 68 downward against the bias of the latchlock spring 70 and upward in allowing the tool latch 68 to move upwardunder its spring bias.

The tool latch housing 64 is axially within but spaced apart from thelower portion 14 at the pole tool end 20 forming a cylindrical channel82 between them for receiving a tubular tool handle end, or tubular base106 as the tool latch rod 102 within the base 106 is received into thetool latch 68.

The latch lock piston 80 intersects the channel 82 as it moves downward.The latch lock piston 80 moves out of intersection with the channel 82when it moves upward. Thus, as the latch lock piston 80 moves upward thetool tubular base, or handle end 106 is receivable in the channel 82past the piston 80. With the tool handle end, or base 106 is in thechannel 82 the piston 80 is movable downward through a tool handle hole108 thus securing the tool 100 in the pole tool end 20 as the tool latchrod 102 connects to the tool latch 68 and thus to the pole actuator 22.

A latch lock handle 84 pivots on a latch lock pivot pin 86 that issecured to the lower portion 14. The latch lock piston 80 similarlypivots on the latch lock handle 84 on a piston pivot pin 88 in a latchlock handle first end 90. A latch lock handle second end 92 extends fromthe latch lock pivot pin 86 opposite the piston pivot pin 88 as a leversuch that as the latch lock handle second end 92 is urged downward aboutthe latch lock pivot pin 86, the latch lock handle first end 90 islifted with the piston 80 connected thereto on the piston pivot pin 88,therein lifting the piston 80.

With the tool thus secured in the pole distal end and the tool latch rod102 secured to the carrier 66, moving the pole actuator 22 moves thecarrier in the pole attachment apparatus 28 which then moves the toollatch rod 102 in the tool 100.

In an alternative embodiment, instead of or in combination with thelatch lock 78, a tool handle end, or base 106 is received in tool latch68 against bias of a carrier spring 89 that urges the tool handle end,or base 106 out of the tool latch 68 until the tool handle end 106 isfully loaded in the tool latch 68, which is when a tool latch ball 91 isurged under ball spring bias into a recess 93 in the tool handle end 106as a first securement of the tool in the tool latch 68. The latch lockmay then more positively lock the tool into the latch lock. However,until the tool is secured by the tool latch ball 91, the tool ‘pops’out, or at least forward out of the tool latch 68 so a user willrecognize that the tool is not fully secured in the tool latch 68 priorto attempted use.

Illustrative of the set of selective tools that may be used with thepole having the tool attachment member 26, a pruner 100 and itsfunctional operation is described. As illustrated in FIGS. 7-13, latchrod 102 is axially within tubular base 106 such that as the tubular base106 inserts into cylindrical channel 82 in the pole end, the latch rod102 also enters the tool latch housing 64 where it connects to thecarrier 66.

The latch rod 102 and tubular base 106 are located in first tool member112. In the first tool member 112, the latch rod 102 connects to cable118, which wraps to second tool member 110 where the cable 118 connectsto a slidable ball 116. The cable 118 extends from the latch rod 102intermediate the first tool member 112 to connection with the ball 116intermediate the second tool member 110. The ball 116 moves in channel114 in second tool member 110 with the cable 118 passing through slot120 in the channel 114. The tool 100 is exercised by bringing the firsttool member 112 toward the second tool member 110. When the tool 100 isdirectly exercised by hand in its normal functional operation, that is auser directly squeezes the first and second tool members 106, 110together in the user's hand, which might be the case when the tool isnot attached to the extension pole, the ball 116 passes in the channel114 from the slot 114 such that the direct operation does not move thelatch rod 102. However, when the latch rod 102 is pulled, such as whenit is connected to the carrier 66 of the attachment apparatus 28, theball 116 against the channel top end 122 is pulled by the cable 118connected to the latch rod 102, causing the second tool member 110 tomove toward the first tool member 112. In the illustrative example ofthe pruner, the first and second tool members 106, 110 are handles ofthe pruner. Pulling the latch rod 102 thus exercises the tool 100 bypivoting the first tool member 112 toward the second tool member 110.When the handles move together the blades 124 of the pruner closetogether, cutting what might be between them.

1. An extension pole apparatus, comprising, an extension pole; a toolattachment apparatus on a distal end of the extension pole; a poleactuator on the extension pole toward a pole proximal end from the poledistal end; and a tool mountable on the extension pole and functional inone or both of two operating modes, comprising (1) a first mode in whichthe tool is made to move directly by a user independent of the pole,which movement implements a normal functional operation of the tool, and(2) a second mode in which the tool is made to function indirectly by auser from the pole distal end by action of the pole actuator, configuredsuch that the tool functionally operates through movement of the poleactuator, the tool including a latch rod that is functionallyconnectible to the pole actuator, such that movement of the latch rodimplements the tool, the latch rod extends slidably within a tool base,the tool base being mounted approximately axially to the extension poledistal end as the latch rod functionally connects to the pole actuatorinternal to the connected tool base and extension pole distal end suchthat the latch rod is protected from access outside of the connectedtool base and extension pole distal end, wherein the latch rod is withinthe tool base such that operation of the tool in the first mode does notcause the latch rod to move external to the base.
 2. The extension poleapparatus of claim 1 wherein said latch rod is configured such thatoperation of the tool in said first mode does not cause said latch rodto move.
 3. The extension pole apparatus of claim 1 wherein uponconnection of the tool base to the extension pole distal end, the toolbase and the latch rod within extend into the extension pole distal endwhere they functionally connect to the pole actuator.
 4. A toolattachment apparatus on an extension pole distal end in combination witha tool attachable to said distal end, comprising: a pole actuator on theextension pole toward a pole proximal end from the pole distal end; atool latch housing; a carrier slidable in the tool latch housing withthe pole actuator functionally secured to the carrier such that the poleactuator and the carrier move in concert; and a tool latch on thecarrier with an opening at its forward end adapted to receive the tool,which tool includes a latch rod that functionally operates the tool whenthe latch rod is moved, and wherein the latch rod is functionally linkedto the carrier such that when the carrier moves by action of the poleactuator, the latch rod linked thereto moves therein causing the tool tofunctionally operate when the pole actuator is moved.
 5. The toolattachment apparatus of claim 4 wherein the tool latch is mountedpivotably to the carrier, the tool latch including a latch pintransverse across the opening adapted to receive the latch rod, whichlatch rod includes a tool latch rod having a notch configured toreleasably receive the latch pin in securing the tool latch rod in thetool latch, wherein the tool latch pivots upward as the tool latch rodis received into the tool latch and downward with the latch pin engagingthe notch and the tool latch pivots upward to release the latch pin fromthe notch to disengage said tool from the tool latch.
 6. The toolattachment apparatus of claim 5 wherein the tool latch is spring biasedupward to receive the tool latch rod and further comprising a latch lockwith a latch lock piston moving downward against the tool latch urgingthe tool latch downward against the spring bias and upward allowing thetool latch to move upward under its spring bias, the tool latch andlatch lock thus cooperating to engage and disengage said tool latch rodfrom the extension pole.
 7. The tool attachment apparatus of claim 6wherein the tool latch housing forms a cylindrical channel between thetool latch housing and a pole tubular distal end for receiving a tubulartool base, the tubular base including said tool latch rod therein, thetool latch rod being received into the tool latch.
 8. The toolattachment apparatus of claim 7 wherein the piston intersects thechannel as it moves downward and wherein the piston moves out ofintersection with the channel as it moves upward such that the latchlock piston is moved upward as said tool handle end is received in thechannel past the piston and when said tool handle in the channel thepiston moves downward through a tool latch hole thus securing the toolin the extension pole end with the tool latch rod connected to thesecond rod.
 9. The tool attachment apparatus of claim 7 wherein thelatch lock further comprises a latch lock handle mounted pivotably on alatch lock pivot pin secured to the tubular member with the latch lockpiston secured pivotably to the latch lock handle on a piston pivot pinin a latch lock handle first end with a latch lock handle second endextending from the latch lock pivot pin opposite the piston pivot pin asa pole actuator such that as the latch lock handle second end is urgeddownward about the latch lock pivot pin, the latch lock first end, withthe piston connected thereto on the piston pivot pin, is lifted thereinlifting the piston, the latch lock further comprising a latch lockspring biasing the latch lock second end upward and thus the pistondownward.
 10. The tool attachment apparatus of claim 7 wherein saidlatch rod is axially within said tubular base such that as the tubularbase inserts into said cylindrical channel in the pole end, the latchrod also enters the tool latch housing where it connects to the carrier.11. The tool attachment apparatus of claim 10 wherein the tool comprisesfirst and second members mutually pivoting from a pivot pin atoverlapping proximal ends, the latch rod and the tubular base beinglocated in the first tool member with the base at a first member distalend and further comprising in the first tool member a cable to which thelatch rod connects, which cable extends from the latch rod intermediatethe first member to connection intermediate the tool second member,wherein the tool is exercised by pivoting the first tool member towardthe second tool member by pulling the latch rod.
 12. The tool attachmentapparatus of claim 11 further comprising a ball in the second toolmember movable in a channel in the second tool member with the cablepassing to the ball through a slot at a channel first end such that whenthe tool is directly exercised in its normal functional operation in bymanually directly squeezing the first and second tool members togetherin a user's hand, the ball passes in the channel from the slot such thatthe direct operation does not move the latch rod.
 13. An extension polein combination with a tool attachable to a tool attachment apparatus ona distal end of the extension pole, the improvement comprising, a poleactuator on the extension pole toward a pole proximal end from the poledistal end; the tool mountable on the extension pole and functional inone or both of two operating modes, comprising (1) a first mode in whichthe tool is made to move directly by a user independent of the pole,which movement implements a normal functional operation of the tool, and(2) a second mode in which the tool is made to function indirectly by auser from the pole distal end by action of the pole actuator, configuredsuch that the tool functionally operates through movement of the poleactuator, the tool including a latch rod accessible by the extensionpole, movement of which latch rod implements said tool movement, thelatch rod extending slidably within a tubular tool base axially, whichtool base member mounts approximately axially within the extension poledistal end as the latch rod functionally connects to the pole actuatorinternal to the connected tool base and extension pole distal end suchthat the latch rod is protected from access outside of the connectedtool base and extension pole distal end, a tool latch housing; a carrierslidable in the tool latch housing with the pole actuator functionallysecured to the carrier such that the pole actuator and the carrier movein concert; and a tool latch on the carrier with an opening at itsforward end adapted to receive said tool, wherein the latch rod isfunctionally linked to the carrier such that when the carrier moves byaction of the pole actuator, the latch rod linked thereto moves thereincausing the tool to functionally operate when the pole actuator ismoved, the tool latch housing forming a cylindrical channel between thetool latch housing and a pole tubular distal end for receiving a tubulartool base, the tubular base including said tool latch rod therein, thetool latch rod being received into the tool latch.
 14. The toolattachment apparatus of claim 13 wherein the tool latch is mountedpivotably to the carrier, the tool latch including a latch pintransverse across the opening adapted to receive the latch rod, whichlatch rod includes a tool latch rod having a notch configured toreleasably receive the latch pin in securing the tool latch rod in thetool latch, wherein the tool latch pivots upward as the tool latch rodis received into the tool latch and downward with the latch pin engagingthe notch and the tool latch pivots upward to release the latch pin fromthe notch to disengage said tool from the tool latch.
 15. The toolattachment apparatus of claim 14 wherein the tool comprises first andsecond members mutually pivoting from a pivot pin at overlappingproximal ends, the latch rod and the tubular base being located in thefirst tool member with the base at a first member distal end and furthercomprising in the first tool member a cable to which the latch rodconnects, which cable extends intermediate the tool members between themand from the latch rod in the first tool member to connectionintermediate the tool second member, wherein the tool is exercised bypivoting the first tool member toward the second tool member by pullingthe latch rod.
 16. The tool attachment apparatus of claim 15 furthercomprising a ball in the second tool member movable in a channel in thesecond tool member with the cable passing to the ball through a slot ata channel first end such that when the tool is directly exercised in itsnormal functional operation in by manually directly squeezing the firstand second tool members together in a user's hand, the ball passes inthe channel from the slot such that the direct operation does not movethe latch rod.
 17. The tool attachment apparatus of claim 15 furthercomprising a tool handle end, or base receivable into the tool latchagainst bias of a carrier spring that urges the tool handle end, or baseout of the tool latch until the tool handle end is fully loaded in thetool latch as an indication that the tool is not yet fully loaded in thetool latch and further comprising a tool latch ball urged under ballspring bias into a recess in the tool handle end as a first securementof the tool in the tool latch against the carrier spring tool is securedby the tool latch ball, the tool urged out, or at least forward out ofthe tool latch until the tool is secured in the tool latch by the firstsecurement.